Beebe, a Democrat, told reporters Thursday that the current concealed carry law is a good system that residents are using. Nearly 130,000 residents have permits to carry concealed weapons, according to Arkansas State Police.

Republican House Speaker Rep. Davy Carter also says he's against the measure, which was filed Wednesday by Rep. Sue Scott.

Scott, a Republican, says the legislation is necessary to advance Second Amendment rights and deter crime. Her bill has 19 other co-sponsors in the House and one in the Senate. Four Democrats have signed on to the measure.

The bill is the latest effort to loosen Arkansas' gun laws after Republicans won control of the Legislature last year.